Farm Bureau Press
2025 ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ARKANSAS
The 2025 Arkansas Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Conference is set for April 3-4 at the Little Rock Marriott. Registration will open at 8 a.m. April 3.
The conference will begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, with a welcome in the Arkansas State Capitol Rotunda.
Buses will depart from the Little Rock Marriott at 9 a.m. After the welcome, attendees can meet with elected officials from their respective districts, attend legislative committee meetings and tour the State Capitol. Lunch will begin at noon at Next Level Events, and bus transportation will be provided.
Following lunch, attendees will return to the Little Rock Marriott for afternoon sessions, including networking, a capitol visit wrap-up and a hands-on school program demonstration. Thursday will conclude with dinner and Bingo.
Friday morning will begin with two rotating workshops starting at 8 a.m. Pastries and drinks will be available at 7:30 a.m. At 10 a.m., there will be time for county committee members to come together and discuss the conference and their plans for 2025; planning materials will be provided during this time.
The conference will wrap up with a general session featuring a keynote “From Soil to Senate: A Guide to Advocating for Agriculture” from Cassidy Johnston, an agriculture consultant, communicator, and co-founder of JRC Ranch Management and Consulting. Cassidy and her family live on a ranch near Canon City, Co.
A block of rooms is secured for Wednesday and Thursday nights. Registration can be completed online or contacting your county Farm Bureau office.
The registration deadline is March 14.
For questions, please contact Amanda Williams at amanda.wIlliams@arfb.com
2025 Ag in the Classroom Book of the Year, Page 2
2025 Farm Bureau Week Across the State, Page 3
US ONLINE
Scan the QR code to access direct links referenced in each article.
2025 AG IN THE CLASSROOM BOOK OF THE YEAR
The Arkansas Ag in the Classroom program aims to enhance agricultural awareness among students in schools across Arkansas. A reading initiative was created focusing on agriculture through children’s literature to achieve this.
The 2025 Ag in the Classroom Book of the Year is “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden,” written by Peggy Thomas and illustrated by Neely Daggett. This book is for reading ages 6-8.
This book engages young readers in becoming environmental stewards, learning how to care for a garden, understanding a plant life cycle, discovering the power of pollinators, and understanding the importance of composting. The book includes information on the soil cycle and how to make a compost pile. An education
guide is also available to accompany the book. These hardback books have special pricing for county Farm Bureaus at $4.75 each. Education guides are $1.00 each.
You may choose to read the book to a school classroom or donate it to a school or public library. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce an agriculturally themed book to students and teachers. The book may be ordered using the enclosed order form or through your county Farm Bureau office using the Arkansas Farm Bureau intranet.
If you have any questions, please contact Donette Spann at (501) 228-1222 or donette.spann@arfb.com.
U.S. CATTLE INVENTORY DOWN 1% TO BEGIN 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its annual Jan. 1 Cattle Inventory Estimates reporting a continued decline in cattle numbers. As of Jan. 1, the total U.S. cattle herd is estimated at 86.7 million head, down 1% from the 87.2 million head reported in January 2024. Additionally, the beef cow inventory stands at 27.9 million head, also reflecting a 1% decline from last year.
The 1% decline is a consistent trend across multiple cattle categories in this year’s report, including:
• All cattle and calves
• Beef cows
• All heifers (500 lbs. and over)
• Beef replacement heifers
• Milk replacement heifers
• Other heifers
• Steers (500 lbs. and over)
• Bulls (500 lbs. and over)
• Cattle and calves on feed
The 2025 U.S. cattle inventory is now at its lowest level since 1951.
Earlier this month, the USDA also released its January Heifers on Feed estimates, revealing that heifers account for 38% of the cattle on feed in the U.S. While this is a slight decrease from the 39% average in 2024, it does not yet indicate a significant shift toward heifer retention.
The link to the full Jan. 1 Cattle Inventory report can be found online
2025 MID-SOUTH FARM & GIN SHOW
The 2025 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis.
The gin show also provides attendees access to more than 300 exhibitors covering a myriad of products used on-farm as well as services including equipment, seed, crop protection products, etc. There are also several exhibitors who produce products for home, lifestyle, etc that relate to farm living.
The farm economy has been tightening for years and now, 2025 could be make or break for some farmers.
With that in mind, the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show is
focusing on programming to help farmers find small ways to reduce expenses or increase profitability.
There will be programs on market and price forecasts for each major crop. With crop acres still somewhat flexible for this year’s planting season, farmers may find insight helpful in pinning down final crop plans.
The Mid-South Agricultural Trade Conference midday Friday will bring together experts in trade from throughout the Mid-South to discuss efforts happening in each state and on a national basis.
Registration is available online and details on the schedule, hotels, and more will be sent to registrants.
ARKANSAS
Searcy Co. Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee members Sally Wilson, Leota Halsted, Dennisa Reade and Jodee Hayes delivered fresh bread and canned goods to Leslie Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry as part of Farm Bureau Week.
Newton Co. Farm Bureau board members Larry Davis (left) and Stan Taylor (right) joined County Judge Warren Campbell (center) who recently signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 3-7 as Newton County Farm Bureau Week!
Columbia Co. Judge Doug Fields (center) proclaimed Feb. 3-7 as Farm Bureau Week in Columbia County. Farm Bureau Agency Manager Greg Murphy (left) and Columbia County Farm Bureau President Bruce Maloch (right), joined as he signed the proclamation at the Columbia Co. Judge’s Office.
Van Buren Co. Farm Bureau hosted a food drive to benefit its local food panty for Farm Bureau Week. The event also featured a membership benefit table and giveaway!
Benton Co. Farm Bureau members and board were joined by county Judge Barry Moehring to declare Feb. 3-7 as Farm Bureau Week in Benton County. In attendance for the presentation included (from left) Brighton, Reid, Janee Shofner; Brenda Patton; Linda Simpson; Laura Evans; Wes Evans, Benton Co. Farm Bureau president; Judge Moehring; Ken Jennings, agency manager; Lindsi Miles, Women’s Leadership chair; Jessica Steet and Emma Evans.
MARKET NEWS
as of February 5, 2025
Contact Brandy Carroll brandy.carroll@arfb.com
Tyler Oxner tyler.oxner@arfb.com
Rice
March rice futures have taken almost $1.50 off the market since failing at resistance at $15. Despite recent weakness in the value of the dollar, rice futures continue to plummet, taking out previous support at $13.70 and setting a new low of $13.49½. Ample supplies around the world, particularly in Asia, and the poor milling quality of the U.S. crop are creating a difficult situation for U.S. exporters. Ending stocks are now projected to be up 9% for the 2024/25 marketing year. The American Relief Act, passed late last year, is projected to provide payments near $69/acre for rice. The program will be based on planted acreage, with prevented planted acres receiving a 50% payment. More information should be available soon as USDA publishes the rules and enacts the program. Payment limits will apply.
Cotton
Cotton futures continue to trend solidly lower. The fundamental situation remains quite bearish as soft export demand continues to weigh on the market. March futures may be establishing some support at Monday’s low of 67.84 cents as prices bounced higher on Tuesday on support from a weaker dollar and carryover strength from other commodities. Last week’s export sales also added a bit of support, as they were up 20% from the previous four-week average. However, current USDA/WASDE projections show a stocks-to-use ratio of 37.5% for 2024/25, up from 23.3% the previous marketing year. The market could see
further support if planting intentions are smaller due to the lower prices. The first look at the crop will come from the NCC survey that will be released next week, followed by the initial USDA projections. The American Relief Act, passed late last year, is estimated to provide payments near $87/acre for cotton, but that could be adjusted as the rules are written. Payments are expected by mid-to-late March.
Corn
Corn futures have quickly rebounded from last week’s tariff-driven selloff, once again approaching the $5.00 level on March futures. This price point remains a key resistance level and a likely area for farm-level sales. Beyond political factors, corn fundamentals continue to support prices, particularly as South American crops face a crucial February. Argentina’s late-planted corn is entering pollination, while Brazil’s safrinha crop is being planted. Looking at the technicals, March futures are primed to challenge $5.00, with $5.05 as the next target — the peak of the pre-harvest rally in 2023. If prices push beyond $5.05, resistance is less defined, meaning traders will need stronger bullish fundamentals to drive the market into the mid-$5.00s. Near-term support is seen at $4.80, with $4.90 serving as another key level to watch.
Soybeans
Soybean futures surged through soft resistance Tuesday morning, returning to last week’s highs and marking the strongest close for the most active contract since late July. March futures broke through the $10.60 level, with medium-term support at $10.40. The next upside target is $10.79, which could open the door to summer 2024 highs near $11.00. However, like corn, soybeans will need continued bullish momentum to sustain a rally, especially given the current surplus in the global soybean balance sheet. Without fresh supportive news, upward momentum may struggle to extend much further.
Wheat
Wheat markets continue their upward trend, bolstered by state-level crop condition reports from the USDA. The March Kansas City contract is now targeting $6.00, with additional resistance near $6.20 (the early October high). Long-term support remains near $5.55, while the 20-day moving average at $5.65 provides additional backing. A notable bullish development is March KC wheat futures trading at their widest spread above the 100-day moving average ($5.68¾) since the late spring 2024 rally. This technical strength signals that wheat may have further room to climb if fundamentals remain supportive.
Hogs
February hog futures have moved higher, mostly riding the coattails of live cattle futures. Strong cash hog and wholesale pork prices have supported nearby contracts, while deferred contracts have been under pressure from worries of a trade war with Mexico and Canada. Mexico in particular is the top destination for U.S. pork exports. Indications are that USDA has overestimated supplies as slaughter is running significantly behind last year’s totals.
Cattle
Live cattle futures remain at recordhigh levels, but the market has corrected a bit as the market was overbought and profit-taking began. Cash markets remain strong amid concerns about cattle supplies. The January Cattle on Feed report pegged the feedlot inventory at the low end of expectations and the lowest December placements in eight years. Some of that supply will be made up with higher average cattle weights if current trends continue. EDITOR